Helmsman is building its first 46 Pilothouse trawler, a comfortable but rugged cruiser designed for offshore passages.
The new 46 Pilothouse was ordered by the owner of a Helmsman 38 who wanted a larger boat that he could use to go beyond coastal cruising. Hull number one of the 46 has a single 500-hp John Deere engine that is expected to deliver a top speed of 16 knots and a range of 1,440 nm at 8 knots. For future models, a 493-hp Cummins is an option.
The new trawler as a semi-displacement hull with soft chines. It also has a full keel for stability and safety, a large rudder, and a stainless steel skeg.
The 46, now the flagship of the Helmsman fleet (there are seven models starting at 31 feet), has a raked windshield in the pilothouse, giving it a businesslike look, and a small flybridge set fairly far aft.
The raised pilothouse has doors on both sides, an L-shaped dinette and two pedestal helm seats. Outside, protected stairs connect the main deck and the flybridge.
The open salon has a convertible U-shaped settee aft with the galley forward. A sliding aluminum door leads to the cockpit. It’s protected by the overhang from the boat deck up top.
Below, the master stateroom is full-beam amidships with a queen-sized bed, a large head with a separate shower compartment, and lots of storage. Helmsman offers several layouts for the second stateroom in the bow, including a VIP cabin, a combination stateroom/office, or just an office. A guest head can be accessed from the guest stateroom or situated in the salon.
Helmsman are designed for owners who want a quality cruising boat but don’t want to overpay for it. They also require minimal exterior maintenance, so that owners can spend their time enjoying the boat.
The Helmsman yard is in China; its offices are in Seattle. The company has been in business since 2011 and can deliver boats to Seattle or Charleston, SC.
Specs.: LOA: 50’1”; Beam: 16’3”; Draft: 5’; Disp.: 45,000 lbs.; Fuel: 800 gals.; Water: 300 gals.; Power: 1×500-hp John Deere diesel. Read more:
